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Haas leads Masters; Scott, Bubba one back

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AUGUSTA, Ga. – With dad in his ear, Bill Haas turned in the best round of his Masters career Thursday.

Now he wants to do what his father never could – finish the job.

Haas birdied the final hole for a 4-under 68 and the opening-round lead, the first time he has broken 70 in five appearances at Augusta National. More important, it was the first time he's ever led a major at the end of a round.

Lurking one stroke back were three major winners, including the last two Masters champions, Adam Scott and Bubba Watson.

Haas' father, Jay, played in the Masters 22 times, with five top-10 finishes topped by a tie for third in 1995. He is staying with his son this week and providing valuable advice on the practice range.

''I never remember thinking, 'Man, I wish I could hit this shot for my dad,''' Bill Haas said. ''But I do know that there's times I'm like, 'I wish my dad could hit this shot for me.'"

''I think he deserves a major in his career as good as he played,'' Bill Haas said.

Scott claimed his first major title a year ago at Augusta National and got off to a strong start in his quest to stay dressed in green, even with a stumble in Amen Corner.

The Aussie made double-bogey at the par-3 12th, a tiny little hole that caused big trouble for a number of players. His tee shot caught the bank in front of the green and hopped back into Rae's Creek for the first time in his career.

''I had just received the most incredible ovation as I came to the 12th tee – and I hit my worst shot of the day,'' Scott said.

He bounced back with a birdie at the 14th, rolled in a testy putt to save par at the 18th, and finished with a 69.

In contrast to Haas, it was the fifth time in his last six Augusta rounds that Scott has cracked the 60s, showing he still has the game to make a run at being the first back-to-back Masters champion since Tiger Woods in 2001 and 2002. Jack Nicklaus and Nick Faldo are the only other repeat winners.

''In a sense, winning last year took the pressure off,'' Scott said. ''What's the worst that can happen? I'm still a Masters champion.''

Watson also shot 69, making birdies on both par 5s after the turn and playing solidly the rest of the round, despite teeing off in the afternoon when the breeze stiffened and the course played even tougher. Despite warm, sunny conditions that gave the mistaken impression it was ripe for the taking, Augusta National was a bear. It looked as though only four players would shoot in the 60s.

The other to do it was Louis Oosthuizen, the 2010 British Open champion who lost to Watson in a playoff two years ago. The South African closed with a birdie on the 18th to complete his 69.

Phil Mickelson wasn't even close. It was a wild ride for Lefty, who made a triple-bogey at the seventh, rolled in an improbable 40-footer for birdie at the 10th, then took a double-bogey on the 15th after knocking it in the water. He was 4 over with two holes to play.

Playing in their first Masters, Jimmy Walker and Kevin Stadler of the U.S. and Sweden's Jonas Blixt were among those shooting 70, making their way around the course just fine despite some unfamiliarity with the revered layout.

They are among a record two dozen Augusta rookies in the field, which doesn't include four-time winner Woods, out of the game until summer as he recovers from back surgery.

The 35-year-old Walker is having a breakout year on the PGA Tour, picking up the first three victories of his career. He kept up his strong play, ripping off a run of four straight birdies starting at the 14th.

''I wasn't thinking I was going to make four in a row,'' Walker said. ''But just keep hitting good shots.''